Process and machine for printing complete form letters



E. E. STRAWN. PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMPLETE FORM LETTERS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1920.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

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. PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMPLETE FORM LETTERS.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 29. I920. I

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

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E. E. STRAWN. PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMPLETE FORM LETTERS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1920.

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E. E. STRAWN. PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMPLETE FORM LETTERS.

1,41 1,592- APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1920- Apr' 4,

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ERVIN E. STRAWN, OF DES MOINES, IUWA,

ASSIGNOE TO THE OMNIGRAPH. COMPANY,

OF DES MOINES, IOVTA, A CORPORATION.

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMPLETE FORIVI LETTERS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERvIN E. STRAWN,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Des Moines, in the county of Polk and mate of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Process and Machlne for Printing Complete Form Letters, of which the following is a spec fication.

The object of my invention is to provide a process for printing complete form letters including the letter-head, body of the letter, address, salutation and signature, and for printing various parts of the letter or letterhead in different colors in a series of steps constituting one general operation and to provide a machine whereby the various processes mentioned herein may be carried out.

More particularly it is my object to provide a single unit machine which will print on a moving strip of paper, a letter-head, an address, a Salutation, a body of a letter, and a signature or any one of these parts of a letter, and will print different parts in different colors if desired, or will print different parts in the same color if desired, and which will print the body of the letter and the address and salutation in the same colored ink from the same ink fountain.

tit-ill a further object is to provide in such a process a step, and in a machine suitable mechanism, whereby the signature may be printed and somewhat blurred to give the effect of blotting.

Still a further object is to provide in such a process a step, whereby the so-called ribhon effect may be secured in a form letter where desired.

Still a further object is to provide such a process in which all the steps above outlined may be performed upon moving paper during the movement thereof, so that intermittent movement or sudden starting or stop- @till a further object is'to provide such a process including the steps of printing on moving paper. with a series of separate address plates, from which address and salu- Specification of Letters Patent.

7 Patented Apr. 4, 1922. 192 0. Serial no. 399,668.

tations or the like are printed during the movement of the plates.

Still a further objectis to provide a process of the kind mentioned including the carrying of address plates successively from one magazine to printing position, and from printing position to another magazlne, and depositing themthereln by suitable means,

such as an electromagnet.

Still a further object is to provide a process of the kind mentioned, including the prmting successively from separate address plates by carrying the plates from a magazine to printing position, then away from printing position, and then removing the plates successively from the carrying means and depositing them in a receiving magazine.

A further object is to provide such a process, including the selecting and classifying of the plates after printing, and depositing themin different magazines.

Vith these and other objects in View, it may be said that my invention consists in the steps hereinbefore referred to, and hereinafter more fully set forth, which may be performed on a machine which will now be described, and which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a machine upon which the various steps of my process may be carried out.

Figure 2 shows a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view through the same, the view being taken near one side of the machine with the side frame removed.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the paper holding device. I

Figure .4 shows a detail view partly in section of the paper trimming mechanism.

Figure 5 shows a detail, sectional view of one of the trimming knives.

Figure 6 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a detail view of a printing roller of the first printing unit, illustrating the means for fastening the printing plates.

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of said t Figure 11 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 shows a rear elevation of one end of the inking rollers of the second printin unit.

igure 13 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 12, the latter two figures referring to the inking rollers used for printing the body of a form letter, and also for inking of the plates for printing the address and salutation.

Figure 14 is a vertical, sectional View through the spindle of the main printing roller, showing the cams in end elevation. Figure 15 is a top or plan view of one end of saidroller which is the one employed inlprinting the body of the letter.

' igure 16 shows a top or plan view of a part of the machine used in printing from the address plates.

Figure 17 shows a sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of Figure 16, illustrating the means for adjusting the address printing mechanism laterally.

Figure 18' shows a detail, sectional view 1 taken on the line 18-18 of Figure 16.

Figure 19 shows a sectional view of the address printing mechanism taken on the line 19-1-9 of Figure 16.

Figure 20 is a vertical, sectional view through one of the magnets and parts adjacent thereto, illustrating the stripping of th address plates from the magazine.

Figure 21 shows a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the address plate receiving magazines taken on the line 21-21 of Fi are 19.

igure 22 shows a sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Figure 19.

Figure 23 shows a detall plan View of one of the magnets, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section.

Figure-24 is a vertical, sectional view through the lower end of the address plate supply magazine, and one of the magnets illustrating the'construction of the machine,

whereby the plates are removed from said ma azine.

' igure 25 is a det-ail, sectional view illustrating the commutator inside elevation.

Figure 26 is a detail. sectional view taken on the line 26-26 of Figure 16.

Figure 27 is a transverse, detail, sectional view taken on the line 27-27 of Figure 26. Figure 28 shows a sectional view taken on the line 28-28 of Figure 24.

Figure 29 shows a detail, sectional view illustrating the inking ribbon and operative mechanism therefor, used in connection with the address plate printing device, taken on the line 29-29 of Figure 30.

Figure 30 shows a detail, sectional View taken on the line 30-30 of Figure 29.

Figure 31 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 31-31 of Figure 29.

Figure 32 shows a sectional view through the printing and inking rollers of the fourth printing unit, three of the rollers being omitted for the better showing of other parts. 1

Figure 33 shows a sectional view of part of the same unit taken in a plane just outside the frame at one end of the rollers.

Figure 34 shows a sectional view of the bearing of an inkin roller, such as of the fourth unit illustrating the means for adjusting the bearings.

taken on the line 38-38 of Figure 37.

Figure 39 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 39-39 of Figure 38.

F1 re 40 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 40-40 of Figure 39.

Figure 41 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 41-41 of Figure 40.

Figure 42 shows a detail, side elevation of a modified form of the selecting device.

Figure 43 shows a longitudinal, sectional view of the receiving magazine of the modified form referred to.

Figure 43 shows a plan view of the U shaped selector member.

Figure 44 shows a transverse, sectional view of the receiving magazine shown in Figure 43.

Figure 45 shows 'a detail, sectional view taken on the line 45-45 of Figure 37.

Figure 46 shows a detail view of part of one of the paper guide rollers; and

Figure 47 shows a perspective view of a clutch device.

I shall now describe the machine whereby the various steps of my process may be carried out, and will then explain somewhat in greater detail the steps of the process and the sequence thereof. V

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference number 10 to indicate generally the mam frame of my machine on which the other parts are mounted. On the frame 10 are rearwardly projecting bracket arms 11, which support a shaft 11", on which may be mounted a roll of paper 13.

Mounted on the bracket arms 11 is a rotatable shaft 11 on which is a drum 11 for the ro l of paper. Mounted on strips 11 on the inner sides of the arms 11 are the forward ends of spring arms 11 which extend rcarwardly in the machine and carry at their rear ends shoes 11 for engaging the drum 11 Mounted in the arms 11 are screwthreaded rods 11, having swivelled heads 11 bearing against the springs 11 and having at their outer ends heads 11*. By adjusting the screw-threaded rods inwardly or outwardly in the arms 11, varying tension may be imposed on the drum 11 The de' vice just described may be used as a brake, and also for adjusting the roll of paper laterally in the machine.

The paper 13 is threaded from the roll over a guide roller 14, under a guide roller 15, thence between the paper trimming and splitting rollers 16 and 17.

The lower trimmer roller is provided with a central, annular groove 18. The upper trimmer roller or shaft 17, which is made of two parts telescoped together and held against relative rotation by means of a pin 19 received in a slot 20, is provided with the cutting knives or discs 21, arranged to coact respectively with the edges of the roller 16 at the ends thereof, and with one edge of the slot 18. The upper trimmer roller is preferably mounted so as to be readily raised or lowered at will.

The central knife 21 may be removed when it is not desired to cut the paper into two strips.

The shaft 16 of the roller 16 is preferably mounted in frame members 16 (Figure l). The ends of the roller 17 are eccentrically fixed in externally screw-threaded bearings 17, which co-act with screwthreaded openings in the frame members 16 On one end of the roller 17 is a head 17 for conveniently rotating that roller, and the bearings 17 ror moving the knives to and from cutting position. The screw threads of the opposite bearings 17 are respectively right and left handed, so that when the parts are in the position shown in Figure a, and the head 17 is rotated to a certain position, the roller 17 and parts thereon will be moved to their dotted-line positions illustrated in said figure.

The opposite ends of the roller 17 will move apart for carrying the outside knives in opposite directions away from the roller 16. Said opposite ends will each follow a spiral path moving bodily endwiso and toward or from the roller 16.

The knives or discs 21 have shorthubs 21?, which are rotatably mounted on the roller 17.

From t .e trimmer rollers the paper goes to what I may call the first printing unit. This is a unit which is usually employed for printing signatures, but as hereinafter more fully explained, it may be used for a great variety of purposes.

The first printing unit, now under consideration, consists of the impression roller 22, and the printing roller 23, which is adapted to receive curved printing plates 23 of any suitable kind.

The plates 28 have beveled side edges arranged to co-act with correspondingly beveled edges of holding strips 23", which have at their ends keyhole slots 23 to receive screw-bolts 23, which are screwed into the roller 23. The roller 23 may have a central circumferential slot 23 having an enlarged portion 23 to receive an inverted wedgeshaped lug; 23 on thestrip 23". (See Figures 7 and 9.)

T he type plates 23 on the printing roller 23 are inked from the composition inking rollers 2d and 25, which receive their ink from a roller 26. The roller 26 is inked from the distributor roller 27, which in turn receives ink from the vibrator distributing roller 28. The vibrator 28 is inked from an ordinary swinging roller 29, which in turn is inked from the fountain roller 80.

From the first printing unit the paper goes to the second printing unit which will now be described and which may be used for printing the body of a letter or for printing various other subjects matter.

The second printing unit includes the impression rolle 31, mounted on the shaft 31, which shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine.

On one end of the shaft is a sleeve 31* having an annular flange 31 and an externally screw-threzuled end 81 (311 the sleeve 81 is a sprocket 157 held against the flange 31 by a nut 81 on said sleeve, as shown in Figure 10.

Above the roller 31 is the co-acting printing; roller 32 on the shaft 32, which is rotat-ably mounted on the main frame. The roller 32 may be made like the roller 23, with or without the groove 23 and may have printing plates 23 fastened thereto, as shown in Figures '7, 8 and 9, and as herein before described. I

it ma he mentioned that where the groove 23 and lug 23 are employed, two printing plates may be used, one being located on each side of the lug 23 By using inks of different colors for the two plates, there may be produced matter printed in two colors from one roller. Vihere one wider printing plate 23 is employed. I use strips 23 without the lugs 23.

The roller may be made as shown in Figures 10 and 11, with a gripping strip 32" at one end to hold a printing plate 23. Ad

jacent to the other end of the roller 32 is a disc 32 of the same outside diameter as the roller, to which the other end of the plate 23 may be secured by a strip 32*. These strips 32 are fastened at their ends to the roller 32 and the disc 32 by screwbolts 32.

The disc 32 has a central screw-threaded opening of larger diameter than the shaft 32. Extended through such opening is an externally screw-threaded sleeve 32 one end of which abuts against the roller 32, as shown in Figure 10, and the other end of which has a head 32. It will be seen that by screwing the sleeve 32 in the proper di rection, the disc 32 will be forced away from the roller 32, for stretching the qarintplates or the like which are successively brought to printing position.

Third unit-address printing mechanism.

The third printing unit includes an im pression roller 39 on a shaft 39, mounted on the main frame 10 of the machine. The rest of the printing unit is supported for lateral adjustment on an auxiliary frame detachably mounted on the main frame and having the cross members 40 resting on the members 41 of the main frame.

The transvers frame members 40 of the third printing unit are provided with transversely elongated. slots 42, through which extend set-screws 43, mounted in the frame members 41 of the main frame. At the ends of the respective frame members 40 are the upright side frame members 44. Connecting the forward edges of thesideframe members 44 is a trgnsverse frame member 45. Botatably mounted in the main frame 10, as shown for instance in Figure 17, is a sleeve like hub 46 of a gear 47.

The gear 47 is keyed to the shaft 48, by a spline 49, so that the shaft can slide, but the gear must rotate with the shaft.

One end of the shaft 48 is screw-threaded as at 53. and receives an adjusting nut 54,

i which has at its inner end an enlarged bore turn with the shaft on account of frictional engagement therewith.

Thislateral movement of the third printing unit is for the purpose of printing at different places laterally on the paper for varying the margin for the address or other matter printed from the address printing plate, or for making the margin at the side of. the paper adjacent to the address properly conform to the margin adjacent to the other printed matter on the sheet.

The shaft 48 extends through a pair of spaced discs 50 and 51,as shown for instance in Figure 16, which are arranged inside the side members44. The shaft is rotatably but non-slidably mounted in the side members 44, and the hubs 52 of the discs 50 and 51 are fixed to the shaft 48..

.1 ounted between the discs 50 and 51 adjacent to the peripheries thereof, and diametrically opposite each otherare blocks 58. The blocks 58, which for convenience sake in description, Ishall hereafter refer to as the electro-magnets are hollow and have the recesses 59 in which are the electro-magnets proper 60. (Fig. 23). In the faces of the blocks 58 are grooves 61. The electro-magnets are connected by wires 62 and 63 with an ordinarycommutator 64, shown in Figure 25. The commutator 64 ismounted on the disc 51. v

Mounted in the third unit frame member 44, as shown in Figure 16, are the contacts 65 arranged to properly coact with the commutator and connected by wires 66 with any source of electrical energy.

The frame members 44 are connected at their upper portions by a cross member 67 on which is a bracket 68 to which is secured an upright feed magazine 69, for holding a supply of address plates 70.

In the operation of the machine, themagnets 58 carry the address plates 70, one at a time from the magazine 69, past an inking roller, then past the impression roller 39, then to a receiving magazine, all as described more fully a little later. The address plates 7 0 preferably have the form of a rectangle considerably longer than it is wide, and they are curved from side edge to side edge on the arc of a circle having its center at the center of one of the discs 51 and 52, and having its circumference at the circumference of one of those discs.

It may be mentioned that this circumference is twenty-two inches or twice the length of ordinary letter paper.

I have provided two of the electro-magnets with the relatively large discs 50 and 51 in order that the curvature of the address plates may not be too great. The ends of the plate 7 0 are folded over as at 71, illustrated for instance in Figure 28, and on the outside of the curve. This is done for the purpose of giving strength to the address plates which may be used for an address or other subject matter, and also for engaging and gripping and holding the paper firmly and smoothly on the impression roller during the printing operation.

It may be mentioned that the thickness of the folded over portion at the ends of the address plates should be the same as the rise of the type face from the surface of the plate.

The plates are longer than the roller from which they are inked and thus the folded over portions are never inked.

In the ends of the plate are opposite notches 72, the purpose of which will be hereafter referred to.

In one edge of each plate there is preferably provided one or more notches 73. These notches may vary in location in different plates, and their purpose will be hereinafter referred to.

It may be mentioned that the various notches above described are of importance in selecting certain address plates from the entire number of address plates after the printing operation has been effected.

Extending across the bottom of the magazine 69 is a pair of spaced downwardly projecting strips 7 1, so located as to enter the notches or grooves 61 in the magnets as the magnets pass the bottom of the magazine 69. The rearward. end of the magazine at the lower end is open to permit the exit of the address plates one at a time.

On each magnet block 58 is a pair of projecting fingers 75, just long enough to engage the bottom address plate 70, as the magnet passes under the lower end of the feed magazine, as illustrated particularly in Figure 24.

The commutator is so arranged that the instant the fingers engage the lowermost address plate in the magazine 69, or shortly after that instant, the magnet under consideration is energized, whereupon the address plate which has been engaged by the fingers will be firmly held on the magnet until such magnet is de-energized. As the discs 50 and 51 continue their-rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 19, the ad dress plates are inked from the rollers 77. The spindles 7 8 of the rollers 7 7 are mounted in the brackets 79. (Fig. 16). It is an important feature of my invention that the address plates should receive their ink from a fountain common to the address plates and to the printing plates on the roller 32. For accomplishing thispurpose, I have provided the distributing roller for supplying ink to the rollers 77. The roller 80 is inked from a roller 81 which receives its ink from the roller 35 already described, whereby both sets of type faces may be inked from a common source of supply.

From the inking rollers the magnet carries the address plates to position for printing on the paper 13 in coaction with the impression; roller 39. From printing position the magnet carries the address plate to the stripper arms 82, which are preferably mounted on the cross member a5 and project to position where their points enter the grooves 61 of the magnet blocks for stripping the address plate therefrom, and dropping it into the permanent receiving magazine 83.

The commutator is so arranged that the magnet is de-energized at the instant the stripping process commences.

Below the bottom 84: of the permanent receiving magazine 83 is a magnet 85. The magnet- 85 is so arranged as to cause the for" ward edge of the plate that has just been stripped from one of the moving magnets, to be gripped against the bottom 84 of the permanent receiving magazine.

On account of the curved form of the plate, it will be noted that the plate "will be slightly tilted to position above the bottom of the magazine at its rearward edge, and the plate will be snugly held in position until the further action of the machine.

in the bottom 81 are spaced slots 86. Mounted. on a shaft 87 and extending through the slots 86 is a pair of plate raising fingers 88, which are so timed and actu ated by mechanism hereinafter more fully described as to raise the plate that has been stripped from the magazine, and push it upwardly and forwardly to the position shown in full linein Figure 19, and which return to their lowered position, as shown in Figure 19, before the plate is stripped from the next magnet. magazine 83 are spring catch members 90. The plate raising fingers 88 carry the plates just past the projecting portions 91 of said springs a sufficient distance, so that when the fingers return to their lower position, the plate which has been raised can move rearwardly a short distance, so that the successive plates will not be held too tightly together. The plates will then be in the re ceiving magazine, and will not be held so tightly together, but that the selected plates may drop downwardly through the bottom of the receiving magazine in the manner hereinafter referred to. I

It may be mentioned that the receiving magazine, the plate raising arms and the shaft on which these arms are mounted are brass so as not to be magnetized by the magnet 85.

It should be mentioned that points project upwardly from the magnet 85 through the bottom of the permanent receiving magazine to position for properly magnet- In the sides of theizing the forward edge of the plate that Plate selecting mechanism.

Where it is desired to select a certain number or kind of plates, from the total number, after the printing operation has been carried out, such selection can be accomplished by mechanism which will now be described.

In the bottom of the permanent receiving magazine is a transverse slot 92, below which is a chute 93, which leads to a second receivin magazine 94. On the inside of the wal s of the permanent receiving magazine 83, are opposite horizontal ribs 95. The ribs 95 extend across the slot 92.

In the bottom of the permanent receiving magazine 83 rearwardly ot the opening 92 therein. are longitudinally arranged grooves 96, as illustrated for instance in Figure 27. These grooves are preferably arranged in four series, for instance from left to right, there being. a series of twelve, a series of five, a second series of five and another series of twelve, as shown in said figure. Selectively received in the grooves 96 are strips 97 The notches 7 3 in the address plates are located on different address plates to correspond or register with certain of the slots 96 in the bottom of the permanent receiving magazine, and to receive strips 97 received in such grooves. For instance; if the strips are placed in the two outside grooves 96, then the address plates which have notches 73 properly located, will, drop downwardly a short distance in the permanent receiving magazine. with. the installed strips 97 received. in such notches 73. The other address plates will slide on the in stalled strips 97 until the ribs 95 enter the notches 72 in the ends of the address plates.

In this connection, it may be mentioned that the ribs 95 terminate short oil? the rear ends of the strips 97, so that the plate which it is desired to sele t out, may drop downwardly on the installed strips 97 before the ribs 95 enter the notches 72, V 7

It will be seen that as the address plates advance, those which have dropped downwardly with the strips 97 received in their notches, will drop oil the ends of the strips through the hole 92 into the chute 93.

It may be mentioned in this connection that for each selection I preferably employ two strips 97 in order that the plates which are not selected, and also that the plates which are selected maybe properly support-ed during their advancing movement 9 The strips 97 could be arranged in various ways, and I have shown in my drawings an arrangement whereby it is possible to make sixty selections: That is to say with each groove of each seriesof twelve grooves 96,0ne selection can be made. It is of course understood that two corresponding strips are inserted in corresponding grooves in each of the series of twelve grooves for making such selection.

Thus, for instance, if each address plate representing the January expiration of a magazine, has notches 73 corresponding to the left-hand groove 96 of each series of twelve, then the January expiration plates may be selected out by placing the strips 97 in the grooves mentioned, and it will be seen that a general letter may be sent-to an entire list represented by all the address plates, and the January expiration plates. may be selected out for the purpose of wrlting a special letter to the January expire tions.

If it were desired to make a still more limited selection, it can be seen that the plates representing expirations in the first week in January might be further provided with notches 73 corresponding to the lefthand grooves 96 of the respective series of five grooves, and that when the strips 97 are installed in the last mentioned grooves, then only the eXpi-rations of the first Week of January would be selected out from the total number of address plates.

Or from a general list there might be selected out the plates having the addresses of persons with special credit ratings, for sending special letters to such persons. In such case the plates having the special addresses may have notches corresponding to the right-hand grooves 96 etc.

In the chute 93 are spaced slots 98.- Mounted on a transverse shaft 99'a1'e plate raising fingers 100 adapted to travel through the slots 98, when the shaft 99is rocked in the manner hereinafter described. The fingers 100 are substantially triangular in outline as shown in Figi'ire 19, and their upper edges are curved, so that if a plate should drop into the chute when the fingers 100 are in their raised position as'shown in Figure if), then when the fingers move rearwardly and downwardly totheir lowered position, the plates which have dropped into the chute willslide freely on the curved upper edges of the fingers 100.

W'hen the fingers 109 are raised for rais ing a plate lying on the bottom ofthe chute, they carry the plate upwardly and forwardly past the projecting beveled portions of springs 101 similar to the springs 90, already described. These springs are mounted in the side walls of thefreceiving magazine 94. i

The-magnet- 85 has portions which cut through the non-conducting bottom of the chute for holding one edge of the selected plate against the chute bottom until the raising of the plate by the fingers 100, and during the first part of such raising.

The selected plates are thus held at their lower edges until the finges 100 raise them and are raised with a pivot orhinge movement, such as has already been described. It may be noted that in the receiving magazine there is preferably provided a follower block or the like 102 for the purpose of holding the address plates in upright position in the magazine.

In the outer end of each of the receiving magazines is a filing magazine 103. Received in the upper end of the feed magazine 69 is one end of a similar filing magazine 103. It will be noted that the address plates are fed into the receiving magazine with the same relative arrangement which they had in the feed magazine.

In Figures 42, 48 and a l, I have shown a modifiedform of plate selecting mechanism. In the form under consideration, the receiving magazine 83 receives the address plates 7 0 in the same manner as has been described. The magazine 83 has no hole in its bottom 8 1 but has in the upper surface thereof a recess or depression 8 1, which is long enough fore and aft-for the purpose and extends across the magaeine. The bottom 84 has adjacent to the ends of the depression 84% slots or grooves 96 which receive the ends of selector bars 97 The address plates are similarto the plates70, except that they have holes 70 near each corner as shown in Figure 4 1.

I use a pair of U-shaped members 70, having the parallel pointed arms '70 adapted in the case of the upper member 70 to enter the upper holes T0" of the non-selected plates, and in the case of the lower member 7 0, the lower holes 7 0 of the selected plates, which have dropped down on the selector bars 97.

' It will be seen that with the form of selector device under consideration, the selected plates will be on one member 70 and the non-selected plates on another member or placed from said members into a filing magazine 1031 On the frame of the machine is a bar "(0 having notches '70 to receive and support the forward portion of the members 70.

In Figure 18, I'have shown the operating mechanism for actuating the plate raising fingers 88 and 100. On the shaft 87 is an arm 121 extending for instance upwardly and forwardly and pivoted to a link 125. The link 125 is pivoted to a bell crank 126 on the shaft 99. The bell crank 126 is pivoted to a bar 12'? extending rearwardly. The lower end of a lever 128 is pivoted to the rear end of the bar 127 and the upper The inkin end of the lever 128 is pivotally mounted on a frame member 4%. On the disc 50 are diametrically opposite pins 129 which, in the rotation of disc alternately engage the lever 128 for actuating the bar 127 and moving it forwardly for operating the plate raising lin 'ers.

uitably attached to the bar 127 and to the laterally slidable frame which carries the address printing mechanism is a spring 130 which insures the prompt return of the lever 128 into the path of the pins 129 after each operation of said lever.

Fourth printing emit.

The paper is threaded from the impression roller 39 over rollers 10 i and 104, thence rearwardly and downwardly around a roller 105, thence forwardly around a roller 106, thence rearwardly and upwardly and around the roller 107. thence forwardly to the fourth printing unit.

Above the roller 107 is a heavy or weighted roller 108 which serves to grip the paper for drawing it forward.

It will be seen that the arrangement of the rollers just described makes it possible to secure what may be called a capstan action in drawing the paper through the machine.

It may be mentioned in this connection that the spindle of the roller 105 is mounted in arms 110 pivoted on a shaft 111 so that the roller 105 may be adjusted to difierent positions for thereby regulating or varying the length of paper between the impression rollers 39 and 109.

The fourth printing unit may be used. for instance, for printing a letter head. If it should be found for example in printing a form letter orthe like that the body of the letter was a little too far from the letter heath as printed on the fourth print in unit. then an adjustment could be made by adjusting the'roller 105.

The fourth printing unit has the impression roller 109 above which is a printing roller 112 adapted to receive curved printing plates. The printing plates on the roller 112 are designed to be inked from four inking rollers 113 shown in Figures 2 and 32. ollers 113 are inked from rollers 11% and and 116. From the fountain ink roller 117. the ink carried by the inkin roller 118 to the vibrator roller 120. Ink is distributed from the roller 120 to the roller 121. from the roller 121 to the rollers 115 and 116. and from the roller 115 to the roller 122. and from the roller 122 to the roller 11 1 (Fig. 2). c

It will be noted that also several of the rollers distribute ink to a plurality of other rollers and that with the arrangement just des'ribed. i have effected a very thorough distribution of the ink, and it may also be mentioned that the composition and steel rollers are always alternated.

Sheet cutter.

I have provided forwardly in the machine from the impression roller 109 and printing roller 112, a paper cuttingdevice of the rotary type comprising a pair of cylinders 123 and 124 provided with suita ble cutting means 125. This cutting device is preferably similar to that described in y 337,081, filed April 27, 1920. Just for wardly of the cutting cylinder is a pair of what I may call ejector rollers 126, between which the paper asses after leaving the cutter. It is desira le that the severed sheet of paper, after having been cut from the main body, should be carried away from the following paper at a somewhat more rapid speed than that of the body of the paper. This is accomplished by speeding up the rollers 126 just described, in a manner which will be hereinafter more fully set forth. Another object of speeding up the rollers 126 is to cause them to pick up and insure the carrying of the forward edge of the following paper between them.

The sheets of paper are discharged from the ejector rollers 126 into a. suitable receptacle 127.

Mechanism for printing on reverse side of paper.

There is provided in connection with the mechanism hereinbefore described, an additional printing unit for printing on the reverse side of the paper. Where the additional printing unit is employed, the paper from the large roll is first threaded over the roller 128, thence over a guide roller 129, and thence between the impression roller 130 and the printing roller 131, which are so arranged that the printing is done on the reverse side of the paper.

The type plates or the like on the print in roller 131 are inked from a set of inking ro lers 132 substantially similar to those described in connection with the first printing unit. From the printing and impression roller of the additional unit, now under consideration, the paper is threaded around a guide roller 133, thence forwardly in the machine, and around arelatively large dryer drum 134, which may be heated in any suitable way, preferably by electricity. There may be provided an additional dryer below the paper or adjacent thereto, as indicated at 135 between the additional printing unit and the dryer drum 134. 7

From the dryer drurnrthe paper is drawn rearwardl in the machine and around the guide rol er 136. When the additional printing unit is employed, the paper is co-pending application, Serial Numberthreaded from the roller 136 around the roller 14 already described and from there through the machine in the fore set forth.

Driving mechanism.

My machine may be operated from any suitable source of power.

In the form of the machine illustrated in my drawings, I have shown a motor 137 mounted on the main frame 10, as shown in Figure l. Rotatably mounted is a main drive shaft 138 on which is a pulley 139, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, arranged in line with a pulley 140 on the motor shaft and driven therefrom by means of a belt 141.

On opposite sides of the power shaft 138 are counter-shafts 141 and 142. On the. power shaft 138 is a gear 143 which meshes with gears not shown on the shafts 141 and 142. V

On the shaft 142 is a sprocket 144 in line with a sprocket 145 on the shaft of the main inking roller of the additional printing unit used for printing on the reverse side of the paper.

A chain 146 travels on the last two described sprockets. On the shaft of the impression roller 130 is a gear 147 in mesh with a gear 148 on the shaft of the printing roller 131. The printing roller gear 148 is connected with theshaft of the main inking roller of the unit by means of suitable gearing devices 149.

On the shaft 142 is another sprocket 150 not shown, on which travels a chain 150.

On the shaft of the printing roller of. the first printing unit is a gear 154 which meshes with a similar gear on the shaftof the impression roller 22, the latter gear not being shown. 7 w 7 The shaft of the printing roller 23 is connected with the adjacent inking rollers by gearing devices 155. On the shaft of the printing roller of the second printing unit is a gear 156 in mesh with a similar gear not shown, on the shaft ofthe impression roller On the shaft of the impression roller 31 is a sprocket 157. On the shaft of the impression roller 22 is a sprocket 158. Be-

tween the sprockets 157 and 158 and below- -them is an idler sprocket 159. The chain 150 extends from the sprocket 153 over the sprocket 158, thence around the idler 159, and thence around thesprocket 157. On the shaft of the impression roller 39 is a sprocket 160 around which the chain 150 extends;

The gear 156 is'connected cent inking roller for supplyingiink to the printing roller 32, by means of a chain of gearing 161. Gearing devices 162mm} 163 are provided for operating the inking rollers for the address plates, in unison with the inking rollers of the second printing manner heretowith the adjab The gear 47 meshes with a gear 164 on the shaft of the impression roller 39, whereby the discs which carry the magnets are operated in proper synchronism with the rest of the machine.

On the shaft 141 is a sprocket 165 in line with a sprocket 166 on the Shaft of the capstan roller 104. On the shaft of the capstan roller 106 is another sprocket 167. On the shaft of the impression roller 109 is a sprocket 168. On the shaft of the lower cutter cylinder 123 is a sprocket 169. A chain 170 travels over the sprockets 165, 166, 167, 168, and 169.

()ii the shaft of the printing roller 112, is gear 171, in mesh with a similar gear on the shaft of the impression roller 109, the latter gear not being shown.

The ink distributing rollers for the printing roller 112 are operated by means of a chain of gears 172. 7 On the shaft of the lower cutter cylinder on theother side of the machine is a helical gear 126 for operating the sheet handling mechanism, more specifically referred to in another part of this specification.

On the shaft 16 of the lower trimmer roller 16 is a sprocket 153 over which passes the chain 150".

Denice for securing registration.

The device shown in Figure 10 already described, permits adjustment of the printing rollers of the various units with relation to each other for securing proper register on each predetermined length of paper of the matter printed by the difl'erent units.

It will be seen that when the nut 31 is loosened the impression roller and the printing roller geared thereto may be rotated free from the operating mechanism, for adjusting the printing roller to secure proper register on the sheet and when the nut is tightened the sprockets will properly operate the printingunits.

In some instances it is desired that the form letter and the address and salutation be given the so-called ribbon effect. I

have vprovided therefore, for the second printing unit and for the address printing unit ribbon structures whereby this ribbon effect may be secured.

in Figure 19 and in Figures 29 and 30 and 31 l have shown a ribbon device comprising spaced rollers 180. to which are secured the ends of the inking ribbon 181. The inking rollers are detachably mounted on the frame members 44 in the following manner.

Each roll-er has mounted in one end a spindle 182 having just outside the end of the roller a head 183 with a recess 184 receiving the end of a spindle 185. The spindle 185 projects through a hole 186 in the adjacent frame member 44, which hole is of greater diameter than the spindle 185.

On the outer side of the frame member 44 is secured a plate 187 through which the spindle 185 projects. Extending through the spindle 185 is a pin 188 serving as a stop device for the spring 189 mounted in the hole 186 b tween said pin and the plate 170.

On the outer end of the spindle 185 is a head 190, which be grasped for pulling the spindle 185 outwardly for removing it from the recess 184 for thereby permitting the removal of the roller 180.

Mounted in the other end of each roller 180 is a spindle 191 on which is a wheel comprising a disc 192 having a hub 198 extending laterally and mounted on the spindle 191.

hi the spindle 19.1 adjacent to the project ing hub 193 a disc 194. Between the discs there is mounted on the hub on annular wheel 195 made of suitable composition.

Mounted in the frame member 44 adjacent to the spindle 191 is a spindle 196 on which is an enlarged head 197 which is provided with a recess 198 to receive the outer end of the spindle 191.

()n the disc 51 on the periphery thereof are diametrically opposite cams 199, and on the disc 50, arranged diametrically 0pposite each other and staggered with relation to the cams 199 are the cams 200. A wheel 195 on one of the rollers 180 is arranged at the opposite end of the roller from the wheel 195 on the other roller 180.

the discs and 51 rotate, one of these cams 199 or 200 will engage one of the wheels 195 for winding the ribbon in one directioin and after a quarter revolution of the discs the other cam will engage the other roller for winding the ribbon in the opposite oirection.

it will be noted that the ribbon is moved twice bac wardly and twice forwardly with each revolution of the discs. Only a short ribbon need be employed and a large number of impressions can be secured from one ribbon. It will be noticed in this connection that the ribbon. is reainked by the freshly inked address plates at each printing operation.

This ribbon inking device is detachable and a similar inking-device may be provided for the second printing unit.

The difference between the latter ribbon.

are 202 and 203. These rollers are mounted; onthe frame of the machine in the same manner as the rollers 180.

On the shaft 32 of the roller 32 at one end thereof there are mounted arelatively smalldisc 204 and a relatively large disc 205. On the disc 204 there is a long cam 206, and on. the disc 205 is a short cam 207.

The wheels 208 of the ribbon inking device for the second printing unit corre sponding to the wheels 195 already described, are arranged at the same side of the ribbon inking device slightly out of ali nment with each other. 7

ne of the wheels, indicated as at 208 in Figure 14, is arranged to co-act with the ram 206.

During the printing operations the parts are so timed that the cam 206 actuates the ribbon rollers for advancing the ribbon with the paper during the printing operation,

whereas between printing operations the cam 207 returns the ribbon with a rapid movement.

inking roller support.

For suitably supporting the inking rollers, I have shown one form of device in Figures 32 and 33. This device is constructed and arranged especially to secure a thorough distribution of the ink.

The shafts 113 of the rollers 113 are mounted in spaced parallel curved supporting bars 113 having at their forward ends short forward extensions 113 pivoted on a intle 113. The rollers 114, 115 and. 116 ave shafts 114 mounted in curved parallel spaced supporting bars 114 the forward end of which are pivoted on the pintle 113. At their rearward ends the bars 113 and 114 normally rest on; the frame of the machine as shown in Figures 32 and 33.

The bars 114 have near their forward ends upwardly projecting ears 114; in which there is mounted a pintle 114-. The rollers 121 120 and 119 have shafts 122 on parallel curved spaced supporting bars 122, as shown in Figure 32.

The bars 122 are pivoted rearwardly of their front ends on the pintle 11 1 Pivoted to the forward ends of the bars 122 are the hooks 122 below which, on the frame of the machine are pins 122 (see Figure 32).

On the bars 114" are pivoted hooks 114 and just above their hook ends, on the bars 113 are pins 113*. It is well known that it is desirable to separate the metal and compositionrollers and relieve the composition rollers from the imposition of weight thereon, when the machine is not in use, for the reason that otherwise the composition rollers sometimes become flat sided.

In order to secure the desired separation I have provided the supporting means described herein. When the machine is not in use, the operator may grasp the rear ends of the bars 114: and raise them. As the bars 114. move up the rollers thereon move out of contact with the rollers supported on the bars 113, and the hooks 114 then enga e the pins 113 and raise the bars 113. T e movement continues until the hooks 122slide' over and clear and then engage the pins 122.

The operator then lets the parts hang. The pivot points of the hooks 122 are'above the lines from the pintles 114 to the pins 122 when the parts are lowered but when the supportingbars are raised as described, the parts move to position with said pivot points substantially in said lines. The bars 11 1 can then drop away from the bars 122" for separating the rollers on the bars 114" from those on the bars 122.

In Figures 35 and 36 I have shown a slightly different form of inkin roller su port. In the form under consi oration t e printing roller is indicated at 122 Pivoted as at 12 2 on the main frame are the parallel inking roller supporting bars 122". In these bars are slots 122 for vertically slidable bearings 122 in which are mounted the shafts 122 of inking rollers 122 In the lower parts of these'slots are supporting posts 122 on which the shafts 122 may rest. Above the bearings 122 are springs 122 for exerting yielding downward pressure on the adjustable bearings. Suitably mounted in the bars 122 are shafts 122" of ink distributing rollers 122". Pivoted to the bars 122 are bars 122 having notches 122. ()n the main frame are pins 122'.

WVhen the bars 122 are lowered the parts are so arranged that the rollers 122 engage the roller 122 and rest thereon, and are raised off the supporting posts 122 against the pressure of the springs 122, and in contact with the rollers 122". When the bars 122 are raised, the rollers 122 will be lifted out of contact with the rollers 122 and the springs 122 will force said rollers 122 out of contact with the rollers 122".

The notches 122* are placed over the pins 122? for holding the bars 122 in raised position.

Adjustable roller mounting.

In Figure 34 I have shown a means for .mounting inking rollers adjustably in their gaging the other side of the bar 113. The 

